The first song/mp3 I bought on iTunes many years ago was Mr. Brightside by The Killers...today, I bought my first movie off of iTunes.  Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2.  I was initially gonna wait for the Blu-Ray/DVD combo to be released in a couple of weeks but since iTunes had it early, I decided to get it there to watch it.  I'll probably still pick up the DVD.

I really enjoyed the movie, probably more so than Part 1, and I liked Part 1.

Some of the logo Bat shirts...

I was cleaning out my dresser drawers and trying to organize it.  As I was trying to sort out the various shirts, I placed most of the Batman logo t-shirts on the side...

There was a bunch I didn't get in the shot as well as the non logo shirts, the ones with Batman on it or a comic book cover or something other than the logo.

Batman Vinyl Pop

My current collection of Batman POP! Vinyl Figures.  There are a lot of variants out there so it's hard to get them all but I have three so far.

Adam West gets his star

This isn't my picture but it's such a great picture that I hope the author of the photo doesn't mind if I use it.  If I had the money, I think I would have headed out to Hollywood to witness this in person.  Adam West got his star on the Hollywood walk of fame today April 5, 2012.  Hopefully he'll be at the New York Comic Convention later this October.  It'll be pretty cool to meet him again.

Batman @ Kawaii Kon 2012

We went to the Kawaii Kon this past weekend.  We usually go only one out of the three (four?) days and see our pals Jon J. Murakami and Sam Campos at their respective booths.  It's always great to see all the costumed characters running around but this year there was a couple of guys dressed as Batman and Bane from the Dark Knight Rises.  One of the highlights of the "Kon" for me.

I did think it was interesting and actually great that there were a lot of non-anime/manga related characters at this years event.  Don't think it'll happen but I think that the con could grow bigger if it opened itself up to more genres.  Still, had a good time this year at the event.

Justice League: Doom

Justice League Doom!
I picked up my copy of Justice League Doom early this morning before work and couldn't wait until I got home to watch it.

Based on the JLA Tower of Babel story line from 2000, this was another animated movie from the DCU.  The animation was beautiful, seemingly having an anime influence (IMO) and yet at the same time, different than the designs from the other DCU animated movies.  The one thing I really like about these movies is that there is a bit of familiarity in the animation but at the same time each one has it's own style and often times, reflecting the art work of the original artists.

I really enjoyed the story, they of course had to modify it to fit in the time frame allotted but still a great adaptation.

A great documentary on the late Dwayne McDuffy as well as a memorandum to him at the end of the film was also a nice add to the combo set.  The only thing I was a little disappointed about was that the set did not include a DCU short.  Maybe I got spoiled but it was one of the things I looked forward to in these releases (other than the feature itself).  Hopefully the next release has one in it...maybe an Aquaman story...

Batman TV

The television in the computer room "died" a few days ago.  It was an old 13" TV/VCR combo set that I've used for a while.  I was considering getting a new flat screen HD TV but realized that I didn't really need an HD TV in that room and I already had a good one in storage.

I bought two Batman Kidstation TV sets from ToysRUS back in 2005.  The first one I've used in my bedroom since I got it but the second one was supposed to be a backup if the first one died and just as a collectible.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to open it at first, it was kind of nice thinking it was never opened, still factory sealed and it's been waiting to be used for 7 years.  Hopefully they both last for a very long time...

Batman footwear

My new Batman slippers (the middle one...flip-flops if we must) came in the mail today...I ordered 3 pairs, one for the car, one for the house and one to keep...LOL!

Just need to get more Batman socks and I'm all set...
I got only one pair of the Converse shoes left though so I may have to get some of the newer ones before they disappear too...

(vVv)

The Dark Knight Rises

It's been a while since I've been here...but with the countdown at less than 6 months away, I thought I'd try to start up again...

The Dark Knight Rises...

I've seen the poster online for a while now, I've seen the "leaked" and then official teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises but as good and as excited as I was seeing it on the computer screen, I got some serious goose bumps when the WB/Legendary Pictures logo appeared on the screen before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 last night. Even on a small screen at the Pearlridge West theaters, I got excited. I loved the last line too..."The Epic Conclusion To The Dark Knight Legend". Can't wait for next summer...

As excited as I was to see that, I sometimes think that there were bigger thrills for these movies back in the day...before the internet. No Duh! but I remember back in 1988 reading about a Batman movie that was going to be made for the summer of '89. The only thing we knew was that Michael Keaton was gonna play Batman and it was gonna be a serious "dark" movie. With Keaton playing Batman, I think a lot of people were thinking it was gonna be like Adam West's '66 series (that I love).

I don't remember what movie it was but I remember that there was a real excitement of seeing the trailer for Batman. Nothing to spoil it, no previous knowledge of what to expect going in, just sitting there in awe seeing the Dark Knight on the big screen for the first time. Not to say I still don't get a kick out of seeing the new Batman trailers on the big screen today, just that I usually know what to expect going in.

Batmobile, thermos and brushes...

Not really on any particular hunt yesterday at Pearlridge. I came across these three items.

I found the classic '66 Batmobile ornament over at Hallmark. It was the last one they had so I decided I better pick it up now. Kinda early for Christmas stuff but a nice find. They also had a Batman figure ornament but they had a bunch of those left so I figured I could pick it up a little later.

Next at Longs, I ran across three different designed Batman toothbrushes. I have a little Batman toothbrush collection going...then again, I have a Batman collection of a bunch of things too.

Finally, while at Toys R Us I found a Batman thermos...a different one that I got earlier this year. The previous one had Batman leaping into action and the Batsignal on it. This one has the Batsignal on both sides of the thermos. It matches the smaller food container I found last week.

I figure I'm going to try keeping up with this thing again.

Goodbye Batmobile guardian...

Sadly, this little Batman figure finally broke today. The years of heat and sun finally took its toll on the string that held it onto the windshield of my car and it snapped and fell.

It had lasted 17 years and 3 cars. I had gotten it shortly after the 1989 Michael Keaton Batman movie came out but no where to hang it. After I got my first car in 1993, I placed him on the front windshield and there he swung...guarding my car, swinging back and forth.

I may try to repair it and put it back up or I may retire him and try to find a new one.

Batman Apocalypse

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse came out today. I enjoyed the story and the animation was top notch as always. It had a very Mike Turner(ish) feel to the art style and it's always great to hear Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly together on projects like these.

Like many people have been kind of complaining about, it was really a Supergirl centric story but since it was based on the Superman/Batman story from a few years ba

ck, it has the Superman/Batman name attached to it. Still, a great animated movie.

The bonus Green Arrow animated short was awesome as well. I'm really liking these shorts, the stories are good for something short, they are animated well and they give us a chance to see characters we might not normally get to see brought to "life".

Next up is All Star Superman...

More Batman: The Brave and the Bold! The DS game was pretty fun for what it was, although a bit easy but thats probably because it is targeted at a much younger audience. The game plays like an older SNES generation type game and doesn't really make much use of the touch screen.

The first 13 episodes of the Brave and the Bold animated series came out on DVD after WB put out 3 volumes with about 4-5 episodes. I hope they come out with the following compilations soon. It's a fun series to watch, a different take on Batman, not the Dark Knight.

My friend from Japan sent me this image of a Batman mineral water bottle he found. DC seems to be licensing some pretty cool stuff overseas.

Batman games and the jacket...finally!

Batman: The Brave and the Bold was just released for the Wii today! Haven't played it yet but it looks like fun. I've been playing Arkham Asylum a lot again recently so I have this and the new Spider-man game to hold me over till DC Universe online comes out in a couple of months.

It's interesting when you think about it that, "The Batman" didn't have any console version game and neither did the Dark Knight. Since the 1989 Michael Keaton Batman movie came out, every incarnation of Batman has had a console version game except those two.


While picking up the game, I was lucky enough that the nice guys at Game Stop Pearlridge gave me the Batman promo items for the upcoming DC Universe Online game.

An embroidered Batman cap, a bunch of bumper stickers and one of those flash-lights that shine the Bat-signal!

Looking forward to the game in November...LOL, we have been waiting for this game since 2008!

And finally, after almost 20 years, I finally have this Batman jacket that I've been chasing for the since 1993.I was sniped out of a medium sized one earlier this year but I was able to win it this time for $13 and no challengers! I got the large sized one in 1993 from Gecko's in Kaimuki, the small sized one off of eBay a few years ago but both of them didn't quite fit. Large one was too large and the small sized one was a little too small. So like Goldilocks, the medium sized one fits...just right!

Misc. update on Batman collection.

I've been looking for a Batman water bottle for a while now but haven't really found one until today. I lost my old water bottle the other day and needed a new one. This one is pretty nice, it has the Bat-signal on the front and 2 images of Batman on the sides. It's only 12oz so I've been having to refill it more often than my old one.

The recently canceled Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon is still pumping out merchandise This toothbrush set will be added to the various other Batman toothbrushes I have in a growing collection. They're too small for me to use (LOL!) but are a nice addition to my collection.


McDonald's also has the Brave and the Bold running around at their restaurants as the Happy Meals have Batman toys. I haven't been able to collect them all yet but at least I got the Batman figure so far.

Finally, the latest issue of Gameinformer had an article on the upcoming Batman game Batman: Arkham City. If it's as much fun to play as the first one, I'll be more than happy.

Speaking of which, I've been playing through Batman: Arkham Asylum again...that game is a blast to play! But then again, maybe I'm biased...LOL!

Batman: Under The Red Hood

Just picked this up yesterday! Then new DCAU DVD; Batman: Under The Red Hood.

Based on a comic arc from a few years ago, this is another of Bruce Timm and company's DCAU direct to DVD movie. As a Batman fan, I really enjoyed it, especially the opening scene...the death of Jason Todd from the "Death in the Family" story from the 80's. Not that I enjoyed seeing Jason Todd die, especially back in the day. I was one of those who paid my .75 cents to try to save Robin back then...and hey! back then .75 cents was big money to a kid like me.

I thought the story translated pretty well and the animation as always was top notch. Bruce Greenwood did a pretty good job as Batman, I enjoyed it more that Billy Baldwin's Batman in Crisis on Two Earths. The DVD also included a preview of the next direct to DVD movie WB will come out with in September, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. Looks good and Kevin Conroy is back as Batman along with Tim Daly as Superman! Always good to have those two playing the roles and I hope they keep inviting them back time to time.

As for the DVD, I really enjoyed it...didn't I already say that? Not to say it isn't without a few things I didn't care for, like Jason Todd's Robin costume being Tim Drake's for most of the movie he was in and the back story to Death in the Family had to understandably be changed a little for the movie. 9/10 or am I geeking out too much? LOL

Batman DVDs!

I went to Best Buy looking for an extra battery for my phone when I ran across this cool Batman display.

DC seems to be making a big push to celebrate their 75th anniversary this year. Earlier in the year they released a bunch of DC Universe figures with the 75th Anniversary logo on the packaging.

If I didn't already have every DVD (with the exception of the Brave and the Bold) they had on display, I would have picked on up. Only reason I haven't picked up the B&B one yet is because they are releasing the entire season on DVD next month while this version contains only 4 episodes.

Batman from Japan, in 3D and birthday wishes!

My friend from Japan Mr. Miura brought this to Hawaii for me as an omiyage. A Japanese remote control Batmobile from the Dark Knight movie. It's always cool to see official Batman memorabilia from other countries. I'll try to post a few of those that I have gotten over the years in future posts.




I picked up Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year edition a couple of weeks ago. The difference between this one and the one that was released last year is that all of the download content was included on the disc and it was supposed to be in 3D. The game came with 2 pairs of 3D glasses.

As a Batman fan, this was kinda cool but as a gamer...well, it was the same game with the 3D gimmick thrown on. 2D movies/games that they try to convert to 3D doesn't seem to work out so well.

I'll probably play through again though because I didn't quite get all the trophies in the game yet. It was a great game though.


Finally, it was my birthday last week Tuesday and as usual, I got a Batman cake from my mom. Awesome as always!
I also got a bunch of great Batman gifts from my

family and friends.

Adam West on Tonight Show

Nicholas Cage was on the Tonight Show promoting the upcoming film "Kick-Ass". During the interview, he talked about how he played his character Big Daddy like Adam West as Batman.

He also mentioned how he was a big fan of the '66 Batman show when he was a kid. Jay proceeded to go on and say that they were gonna have a Batman trivia quiz and then he brought out Adam West!

Adam went on to win the trivia contest (maybe Nicholas let him win) but I have some new respect for Nicholas Cage...I didn't know Alfred Pennyworth's full name was Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth.

Batman on iTunes

How cool is this...Batman has his own collections category on the iTunes library! Movies, TV shows and music the character has enough media to warrant his own personal collection. Admittedly, not all of them are gems but if you are a fan, I think it's pretty cool and exciting to see something like this.

All of the titles for each sub-category also has more titles if you click on the See All button on the upper right corner of each section. I think I have almost all of the titles offered here...haven't picked up the motion comics yet.